The beta drivers are what stick out as suspicious for me. Graphical data streams VIA the processing unit in your graphics card to your memory, where it is stored and then visualized as needed. Like , an FPS analogy.
You are in a base with many MP5s. It will load the MP 5 file, texture, info, etc - but mainly the model - and store it in your RAM for later use so it can quickly shuffle it back so you can see it without lag, hitching etc.

Simple example, but that might also be it. Some memory sticks can be faulty or ..not...you know not sexy.
It is important to have matching speeds for all your ram sticks to ensure no critical errors spring up during gaming.
But yeah it used to do that to me with some games, upgrading to a newer rev SORT OF fixes it.

Except Starfox Adventures. I get the nintendo logo then boom. Nothing.